A new “purge” against gay men and women may be under way in Chechnya, according to activists.

Late on Thursday, a warning appeared on social media, urging all vulnerable men and women to flee the southern Russian region.

“We ask anyone still free to take this message seriously and leave the republic as soon as is possible,” read the statement.

The short message gives few details, but suggests disappearances of gay men and women have begun again in the majority-Islamic republic. Comments made under the social media post indicate the latest crackdown may have come after contacts of LGBT+ Chechens found their way into the hands of the authorities.

Igor Kochetkov, head of the LGBT Network, which has over the past two years helped a number of Chechens to safety, told The Independent that the group had received credible information of a new crackdown. He said he would be giving a detailed statement on Monday. Read more via the Independent